# Creating Layouts

Layouts control how photos appear during capture and in the final output. You can create and edit layouts from both the app and the web dashboard.

{% hint style="info" %}
This article walks through creating a new layout, but you can always select an existing layout to edit a saved design.
{% endhint %}

***

## How to Create a Layout

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Open the Preset

Access your [**preset settings**](https://app.simplebooth.com/presets) and open the preset you want to customize.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Add a Layout

1. Under General settings, find the **Layout** section.
2. Tap or click the **Add Layout** or **plus button** to add a new layout. 
   * On the **Core plan & up**, multiple layouts can be added, allowing guests to choose their preferred layout before starting their session.

{% hint style="info" %}

## **Delete or duplicate layouts**

* **In-app**: Press and hold on a layout to duplicate or delete it.
* **Online**: Open the layout you want to manage. Then, select the three-dot menu in the top-right corner to duplicate or delete the layout.
  {% endhint %}
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Choose a Layout Type

Select the layout style that fits your event:

* Single-frame layouts & motion layouts
* Photo strips
* Grids
* Spotlight layouts

{% hint style="info" %}
Motion layouts such as GIFs, Rebound, and Video require a single-frame layout. Motion options are not available when multiple photo frames are used.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Adjust Basic Layout Settings

You can modify all basic settings even after the layout is saved.

* **Frame margins**: Controls the spacing between photo frames.
* **Frame aspect ratio**: Sets the crop for photos in the layout, such as square, portrait, or landscape.
* **Layout padding**: Adds extra blank space around the layout edges. You can adjust top, bottom, left, and right padding individually, or lock padding to adjust all sides evenly. 
* **Upload graphics:** Add a logo or overlay 
* **Background colors**: adjust the background colors
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Open the Layout Designer

Tap or click to continue into the main Layout Designer.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

<figure><img src="/files/7S1r4Y2yA6kfDnQpFCIb" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### Layout-Wide Design Settings

Once inside the Layout Designer, settings are split between the overall layout and individual layers.

When no layers are selected on the canvas, the Inspector displays settings that apply to the entire layout.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Layout Size" %}
Define the overall canvas size for the layout.

Choose from common preset sizes or enter a custom size to set the working area for all frames and design layers.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Background Color" %}
Set the background color behind your layout margins using a color picker or hex code.

Both solid colors and gradients are supported.&#x20;
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Motion Choices" %}
Enable motion-based outputs such as GIFs, Rebound, or Video.

Motion options are only available when the layout contains a single photo frame.&#x20;

After enabling GIFs or Video, additional options appear:

* GIFs: Adjust the number of frames and playback speed
* Videos: Set the maximum video duration
* Rebound & Live GIFs cannot be configured&#x20;
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

When a layer is selected, the Inspector switches to settings for that specific layer. Each layer type is covered on its own page below.

***

{% hint style="info" %}

## Migrating Layouts (HALO 4.0 → 5.0)

If you are transitioning from HALO version 4.0 to HALO 5.0, you will be prompted to migrate existing layouts.

Any custom graphics saved to the previous layout will be carried into the new version.

When prompted:

* Choose a frame size (square, portrait, or landscape)
* The selected size applies to all frames in the layout
* Tap the checkmark to continue to the Layout Designer

**Presets cannot be launched in HALO 5.0 until the layout is migrated.**
{% endhint %}


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